Cardinals Priests are those Cardinals who hold the middle, and
by far the most numerous, rank of the College of Cardinals. They
include officials of the Roman Curia, as well as Archbishops of
major dioceses from around the world. Cardinal Priests hold title
to a particular church of the Roman See, a dim historical
reflection of the very early practice of the clergy of Rome
participating in the election of the Pope. Within the rank of
Cardinal Priest cardinals hold seniority based on date of
appointment, and may even advance by promotion to the higher grade
of Cardinal Bishop.